Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.' Lucky was a real
character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help
himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and
something would come up missing.
Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the
treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite toys. Lucky always
stashed his finds in his toy box and he was
very particular that his toys stay
in the box.
It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her
she was going to die of this disease....in fact , she was just sure it was
fatal.
She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night
before she w as to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck
her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he
was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary
thought. He won't understand that I didn't
want to leave him. The
thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.
The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated
and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening
walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.
Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home
, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her
bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky
stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary
sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.
When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She
couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave
way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally
blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While
she had slept, the sorrowing
dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all
his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love.
Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking
further and further together every day. It's been 12 years now and Mary is
still cancer-free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy
box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.
Remember....live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from
God. And never forget....the people who make a difference in our lives are not
the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards They are
the ones that care for us.
If you see someone without a smile today give them one of yours! Live
simply. Love seriously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God
A small request: All you are asked to do is keep this circulating.
Dear God, I pray for the cure of cancer. Amen










